Steptorials: mixed-initiative learning of high-functionality applications

Abstract

How can a new user learn an unfamiliar application, especially if it is a high-functionality (hi-fun) application, like Photoshop, Excel, or programming language IDEfi Many applications provide introductory videos, illustrative examples, and documentation on individual operations. Tests show, however, that novice users are likely to ignore the provided help, and try to learn by exploring the application first. In a hi-fun application, though, the user may lack understanding of the basic concepts of an application's operation, even though they were likely explained in the (ignored) documentation. This paper introduces steptorials ("stepper tutorials"), a new interaction strategy for learning hi-fun applications. A steptorial aims to teach the user how to work through a simple, but nontrivial, example of using the application. Steptorials are unique because they allow varying the autonomy of the user at every step. A steptorial has a control structure of a reversible programming language stepper. The user may choose, at any time, to be shown how to do a step, be guided through it, use the application interface without constraint, or to return to a previous step. It reduces the risk in either trying new operations yourself, or conversely, the risk of ceding control to the computer. It introduces a new paradigm of mixed-initiative learning of application interfaces.